Today I made a really tasty vegan fudge. The basic recipe is coconut butter and banana with a dash of salt and cinnamon. I don't know if you can buy coconut butter in Rexburg. I made mine by blending dried coconut in my Vitamix blender for several minutes until it sort of liquefied. I've heard you can make it in a food processor, but it takes longer. I found the recipe HERE.
I also tried the chocolate variation on the recipe which you can find HERE, and she has lots of other flavors HERE.
You can leave it sweetened with just the banana, or you can add your preferred sweetener. When you've blended it up, it is more like a frosting (a very yummy frosting), and when you put it in the fridge or freezer, it takes on more of a fudge texture.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
What's for Dinner--Hummus and Veggies on a Whole Wheat Tortilla
Once I had hummus and everyone else at the party liked it, but I couldn't stand it. I thought I must not like hummus. But then I heard about how every hummus recipe is a little bit different and you just have to find the one you like. So I tried again. And I'm so glad I did. Lilly's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (available at Broulims) is so good, my baby eats it with a spoon. It's addicting. I tried to duplicate the recipe so I could make it at home, but I haven't got it right yet. If I do, I'll post the recipe.
So for dinner we had Lilly's hummus on whole wheat tortillas (we like the kind you buy raw and cook yourself) with cut up veggies (carrots, cucumber, tomatoes), sprouts, and greens. It tasted so good, I think I could eat it every day.
So for dinner we had Lilly's hummus on whole wheat tortillas (we like the kind you buy raw and cook yourself) with cut up veggies (carrots, cucumber, tomatoes), sprouts, and greens. It tasted so good, I think I could eat it every day.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What's for Dinner--15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta, Carrot Fennel Salad, and Green Smoothie
We've been coasting along with our favorite recipes the last couple months, but I've been in the mood for some experimentation lately. We had some really great recipes tonight. The avocado pasta was so good that my daughter who is a hard-core avocado hater said it was "amazing."
15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta from Oh She Glows
Carrot Fennel Salad from veggienumnum.com The recipe suggests serving this on rolls like you might for a chicken salad. I think it would be really tasty. My family really enjoyed this one, too.
And tonight's green smoothie had some different ingredients that tasted really refreshing. Kale, alfalfa sprouts, frozen peaches, a banana, a can of pineapple with its juice, and a quarter of a lemon rind (which is supposed to be good for fighting or preventing cancer, and it tastes good, too).
15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta from Oh She Glows
Carrot Fennel Salad from veggienumnum.com The recipe suggests serving this on rolls like you might for a chicken salad. I think it would be really tasty. My family really enjoyed this one, too.
And tonight's green smoothie had some different ingredients that tasted really refreshing. Kale, alfalfa sprouts, frozen peaches, a banana, a can of pineapple with its juice, and a quarter of a lemon rind (which is supposed to be good for fighting or preventing cancer, and it tastes good, too).
Monday, January 9, 2012
What's for Breakfast -- Chia Pudding
This probably sounds weird to anyone who isn't familiar with the latest health craze--chia seeds. I mean, who wants to eat a Chia Pet, right? But they're really good, and here are some reasons to enjoy them (according to several websites):
-may help control blood sugar
-high in protein
-high in omega-3's
-may help with weight loss
-the word "chia" means strength because chias are considered a high-energy food
-more antioxidants than fresh blueberries
-high in fiber and nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium
When chia seeds get wet, they form a gel coating around the seed, which gives soaked chias a tapioca pudding-like texture. If you google chia pudding recipes, you will find everything from Mint Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding to Strawberry Ginger Chia Pudding to Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding. I can post any of those if they sound interesting to you. I thought I'd just post a basic recipe here today.
Chia Pudding
1/4 chia seeds
1/4 non-dairy (or dairy if you prefer) milk
Mix and let sit for at least 20 minutes. Most recipes recommend overnight.
I added a dash of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon. I left mine sweetened only with homemade almond milk, but most recipes recommend adding sweetener such as 1/2 banana (mashed), 1 Tbsp maple syrup, agave or stevia to taste. Also, many add fresh, dried, or frozen fruit, or top with coconut flakes or chopped nuts. My baby loved it so much, she asked me to make a second batch.
-may help control blood sugar
-high in protein
-high in omega-3's
-may help with weight loss
-the word "chia" means strength because chias are considered a high-energy food
-more antioxidants than fresh blueberries
-high in fiber and nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium
When chia seeds get wet, they form a gel coating around the seed, which gives soaked chias a tapioca pudding-like texture. If you google chia pudding recipes, you will find everything from Mint Chocolate Chip Chia Pudding to Strawberry Ginger Chia Pudding to Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding. I can post any of those if they sound interesting to you. I thought I'd just post a basic recipe here today.
Chia Pudding
1/4 chia seeds
1/4 non-dairy (or dairy if you prefer) milk
Mix and let sit for at least 20 minutes. Most recipes recommend overnight.
I added a dash of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon. I left mine sweetened only with homemade almond milk, but most recipes recommend adding sweetener such as 1/2 banana (mashed), 1 Tbsp maple syrup, agave or stevia to taste. Also, many add fresh, dried, or frozen fruit, or top with coconut flakes or chopped nuts. My baby loved it so much, she asked me to make a second batch.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What's for Dinner--Cabbage Salad
This was so yummy. A couple of my kids weren't sure how they felt about cabbage, but Ben said this new recipe is now his favorite way to eat cabbage.
Cabbage Salad--from the Green Smoothie Girl's 12 Steps to Whole Foods
1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
1 1/2 cups grapes, halved
2 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pumpkin seeds (I used pepitas--the shelled kind)
1/2 cup almonds (or walnuts), chopped
optional: 1/2 cup crunchy chinese noodles
optional: 1/2 cup raisins or craisins
Toss all ingredients. Serve with vinaigrette.
Cabbage Salad Dressing
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup raw honey
3/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard (I just used regular organic)
1/2 white onion, chopped (I used onion powder because I wanted it less strong)
pinch sea salt
Optional: 2 Tbsp alfalfa sprouts
Blend all, then stir in 2 Tbsp poppy seeds.
Cabbage Salad--from the Green Smoothie Girl's 12 Steps to Whole Foods
1/2 head red cabbage, shredded
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
1 1/2 cups grapes, halved
2 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pumpkin seeds (I used pepitas--the shelled kind)
1/2 cup almonds (or walnuts), chopped
optional: 1/2 cup crunchy chinese noodles
optional: 1/2 cup raisins or craisins
Toss all ingredients. Serve with vinaigrette.
Cabbage Salad Dressing
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup raw honey
3/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp spicy brown mustard (I just used regular organic)
1/2 white onion, chopped (I used onion powder because I wanted it less strong)
pinch sea salt
Optional: 2 Tbsp alfalfa sprouts
Blend all, then stir in 2 Tbsp poppy seeds.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
What's for Dinner--Taco Lentils with Chili Rice on Whole Wheat Tortillas
I'll have to post the full recipe for this meal some time, but the one I want to share tonight is our homemade taco seasoning. If you don't already have a good recipe for this, and you're using those little MSG filled packets, this recipe is a great one. I found it on Allrecipes.com, and we've been using it for years. We usually triple or quadruple the recipe to have on hand.
Taco Seasoning
Taco Seasoning
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Easy Nutritious Treat
Halva is an easy, nutritious treat. You mix about two parts honey with one and a half parts tahini, then adjust the proportion to taste. Then refrigerate till it's the consistency to roll into balls, or mold and slice. I saw one recipe that recommends mixing in chocolate, vanilla, or nuts. Other recipes recommend rolling balls of halva in sesame or chia seeds.
Both the honey and the tahini have great nutrition benefits, especially if the honey is raw and local, though you have to be careful not to give raw honey to very small children. I've heard that many people who eat raw, local honey find that their allergy symptoms decrease or disappear. Honey also contains enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which sugar doesn't have. Tahini has protein, good fat, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
A couple more tips about honey: Honey is antibacterial and has been used to treat infected wounds. Also, I learned from Konnie and Serena that you can stir a spoonful of creamed honey into regular honey, and it will crystallize into creamed honey instead of hardening solid. It works great!
Both the honey and the tahini have great nutrition benefits, especially if the honey is raw and local, though you have to be careful not to give raw honey to very small children. I've heard that many people who eat raw, local honey find that their allergy symptoms decrease or disappear. Honey also contains enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, which sugar doesn't have. Tahini has protein, good fat, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
A couple more tips about honey: Honey is antibacterial and has been used to treat infected wounds. Also, I learned from Konnie and Serena that you can stir a spoonful of creamed honey into regular honey, and it will crystallize into creamed honey instead of hardening solid. It works great!
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